An Ado-Ekiti magistrates’ court recently delivered a decisive verdict against moradeke adeoti, 33, imposing a three-year prison sentence with hard labour for egregious child abuse. this severe consequence stems from her unlawful exploitation of 11-year-old Oyindamola Adeoti through forced street hawking.
during the judgment, magistrate olatomiwa daramola highlighted adeoti’s own clear confession. the court noted that adeoti admitted to compelling the young victim to sell items like pepper and palm wine, ostensibly to fund her school enrollment. this ruling underscores a firm stance against child exploitation in the region.
“The prosecution has established the offence against the convict beyond reasonable doubt.
I find her guilty as charged and I convict her accordingly.
“She is hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour or an option of N20,000 fine in lieu of imprisonment,” the magistrate held.
During trial, the Prosecutor, Insp Adeoye Adesegun, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on Nov. 22, 2024, in Ado-Ekiti.
Adesegun said that the convict unlawfully engaged an 11-year-old girl, Oyindamola Adeoti, her cousin, in street hawking
He said that the offence contravened Section 30 (2) of the Child’s Right Law of Ekiti State, 2019.
In her testimony before the court, the convict’s landlady, Madam Bosede Oso, the prosecution’s only witness, gave evidence.
Oso said “the convict has been ill treating the little girl, her cousin, who was living with her, like a slave, while her children would be in school.
“The victim would be hawking pepper, palm wine and other things on the street and highway, especially, during school hours.
“I and other neighbours had warned her severally, but she refused to change.
“A man came sometimes ago to assist the girl by enrolling her in school, but the convict rejected the offer.
“On Nov. 24, 2024, we received the news that the girl was involved in a motorcycle accident around Omisanjana Area of Ado- Ekiti.
“Eyewitnesses at the scene told us what happened, and that the girl had been rushed to the hospital.
“The matter was later reported at the police station,” she narrated.
To prove his case, the prosecutor called one witness and tendered the defendant and nominal complainant’s statements and hospital card as exhibits.
The convict’s counsel, Mr Opeyemi Esan, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
He said that the convict was ignorant of government’s directive and existing laws on child abuse and hawking, especially during school hour.
